Forecast: Higher tuition push, less per-student funding

As they reduced their current-year budgets by more than $350-million this afternoon, education committee chairs Sens. Stephen Wise and Evelyn Lynn warned of tougher decisions to come -- ones that will hit families.

Lynn, R-Ormond Beach, said higher university and community college tuition likely will be considered for 08-09, given the reduced state revenues.

"What the amount will be, and whether we can get agreement from the governor, is another story," she said.

Meanwhile, Sen. Wise said 08-09 might be the first time in more than three decades that per-student funding (now about $7,100) goes down.

"Next year is going to be dismal at best," he said. "I would say we have to cut closer to a billion, rather than half a billion (this year)."

About the blog

Gradebook features education articles and insights on schools in Florida, focusing on Tampa Bay area schools. What's the latest from the Florida Department of Education? How is the FCAT being used to compare Florida schools? What's going on in Tampa Bay schools? Get an insider's view from the Times education reporting team.